Hot picks: May 23-19

houston chronicle |
May 22, 2013
| Updated: May 22, 2013 4:28pm

Vincent Powell, a gospel and jazz singer who grew up in Austin, is top 20contestants in Season 12 of 'American Idol' on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, in Houston. Powell attended Texas Southern University where he majored in Music Education. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Mayra Beltran/Staff

Vincent Powell, a gospel and jazz singer who grew up in Austin, is top 20contestants in Season 12 of 'American Idol' on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, in Houston. Powell attended Texas Southern University where he majored in Music Education. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Mayra Beltran/Staff

Vincent Powell, a gospel and jazz singer who grew up in Austin, is top 20contestants in Season 12 of 'American Idol' on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, in Houston. Powell attended Texas Southern University where he majored in Music Education. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

Here Come The Girls: This all-female DJ collective takes over the Soul Sessions at this downtown spot. The music runs the gamut from soul and boogaloo to surf and pop. The girl-power lineup includes DJs Darenda, Cassandra Weaver, Say Yes and Tiki. When: 8 p.m. Saturday; Where: MKT Bar, 1001 Austin; Tickets: Free; 832-360-2222 or mktbar.com.

Saturday 5.25

Festival

Cuban Festival: The inaugural event is anchored by a series of veteran local acts, including Angelucho, Havana Soul, Batacha (featuring Marlon Fernandez) and DJ Cubanito. And of course, no Cuban event is complete without food and drinks. There will be kids activities, too. When: noon Saturday; Where: Clear Lake Park, 5200 NASA Parkway, Seabrook; Tickets: $10 (free for kids ages 12 and younger); 281-705-5403.

Saturday 5.25

Concert

Stevie Nicks Birthday Gala: The high priestess of leather, lace and raspy vocals won't be there, but a reasonable facsimile will pay tribute to Nicks during this celebration of her 65th birthday (and 35th anniversary of Fleetwood Mac's landmark "Rumours" album). Houston band Nightbird, led by Nicks doppleganger Brooke Alyson, will cover the tunes. Nicks attire is "strongly" encouraged. Activities include a lookalike contest, midnight birthday cake, face painting and more. Some of Nicks' stage outfits also will be on display. When: 9 p.m. Saturday; Where: The Concert Pub & Grill, 5636 Richmond; Tickets: free; 713-278-7272 or the concertpub.com.

Concert

Guns 'n Roses: At this point, a Guns 'n Roses show is a compelling curiosity. Best case scenario, Axl Rose and his 21st-century patchwork Gunners will turn out old favorites with surgical precision. And there's always the chance for witnessing a meltdown. Admittedly, this club show would be an expensive meltdown. When: 10 p.m. Tuesday; Where: House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; Tickets: $135-$150; 832-667-7733 or www.hob.com.

Sunday 5.26

Concert

Ponderosa is a Georgia band that has been, over the course of two great albums, difficult to pin down. The band's 2011 debut, "Moonlight Revival," was soulful Southern rock that suggested Delaney & Bonnie. Then came "Pool Party," which found the band making dreamy and psych-tinged power pop. What's next? You'll have to see them to find out. When: 8 p.m. Sunday; Where: Walter's, 1120 Naylor; Tickets: $8-$10; www.waltersdowntown.com.

Performance

Manila Luzon: The "RuPaul's Drag Race" runner-up (second, unbelievably, to Season 3 queen Raja) has perfected the artful drag balance of camp and glamour. Luzon combines kitschy charm and drop-dead fierceness every time she hits the stage. Her wow moment? A loopy lip-sync-for-your life to Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park" that cemented her as a "Drag Race" legend. But Luzon isn't just a fierce pantomimer. She also has released several original singles. When: 9 p.m. Sunday; Where: South Beach, 810 Pacific; Tickets: $15 after 10 p.m., free before 10 p.m. with text (text SOBE to 46786); 713-529-7623 or southbeach thenightclub.com.